Hello and welcome to today’s Rugby League LIVE blog – bringing you news, gossip and everything in between.

2018’s action began yesterday as Hull KR beat York City Knights 28-6 at KCOM Craven Park in a comfortable display. A brace to Danny Addy as well as tries to Mose Masoe, Liam Salter and Robbie Mulhern ensured a victorious start to the year for Tim Sheens’ men.

The KR boss is also set to be boosted by a player remaining in east Hull this term. Kieren Moss – who was reportedly set for the exit door last month – is in line to stay with the Robins.

The Mail understands tentative interest was there from an NRL outfit, but Moss has chosen to remain with Rovers for their Super League battle and has since moved to Hull, reaffirming his commitment to the cause.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the day on our blog, which will load below.

18:00

That's it for today!

More next Monday but check out later in the week for further news not just from Hull FC and Hull KR, but from the entire Super League as well.

16:50Gareth Westmorland

Tibo loving his time at KR

Hull KR’s Thibault Franck has spoken of his ‘dream’ move to Super League and says he’s adapted well to the rigours of full-time training in his first season with the Robins.

The young half-back penned a 12-month deal with Tim Sheens’ side after leaving Catalans Dragons, where he regularly starred in their under-19s outfit.

DEBUT: Hull KR's Thibault Franck. (Image: Jerome Ellerby)

Frenchman Franck, who is now accompanied by his fellow countryman Nabil Djalout who has joined KR on trial, spoke to Treizemondial about how he’s settled in to life at Rovers.

Since I was little, my dream was to play in the Super League one day I knew that by staying in France it might not have been possible so I preferred to go to England to try to progress and to confront myself with the difficulty. My adaptation went very well. The club, the fans and the players welcomed me very well and made sure that I was in good condition.

16:15

Latest from Radford

We spoke to Lee Radford down at Hull’s media day and here’s what he had to say on selection for Sunday’s game against Hull KR.

“Whoever the conditioning staff tell me are available I will select,” Radford told the Mail. “We’ll know more during the back end of the week but a lot of the blokes have come back later in the pre-season. Throwing them in too early would be an advertisement to getting injured.”

READY FOR THE CHALLENGE: Hull FC coach Lee Radford.

14:56Gareth Westmorland

We're down at FC press day

Expect plenty of stuff from the training ground over the coming days and weeks

13:42Gareth Westmorland

A great reception for Cockayne yesterday!

Watch our Facebook Live below

12:24Gareth Westmorland

Moss commitment key for Rovers

When reports of Kieren Moss’ rumoured departure from Hull KR came to light, my eyebrows raised. Here’s a player with plenty of potential, non-quota, and having done a fine job in 2017 in the Championship, I expected the outside-back to remain at the Robins with no questions asked this term.

OK, game-time wasn’t at its peak, but 13 tries in just 18 appearances point at a potent squad member. The fact that rumours were swirling around Rovers allowing Moss to leave were surprising to say the least.

COMMITMENT: Hull KR's Kieren Moss. (Image: Peter Harbour)

As it turns out, there was interest from parties, mainly back in Australia. Garth Brennan, former coach of Moss in Penrith Panthers’ New South Wales Cup side, moved to Gold Coast Titans in his first high-profile job.

Moss actually returned to Australia in the off-season where it is understood he reaffirmed his commitment to the Robins for 2018. Moreover, moving to Hull with his wife from Batley, where he used to live, only furthers his desire to taste success at Rovers this year.

11:27

The full story as Josh Griffin backs his brother

DEFENDING HIS BROTHER: Hull FC’s Josh Griffin. (Image: SWpix)

11:18Gareth Westmorland

Important info for KR fans

Hull KR have announced a change in time for their home clash against Catalans Dragons next month.

The Robins were due to face the Perpignan outfit at KCOM Craven Park at 7.45pm on Thursday, February 15.

TIME CHANGED: Hull KR vs Catalans Dragons.

11:04

Griffin defends his brother after sacking

10:59

Some rugby league news from around the UK

Bailey relieved

Ryan Bailey has admitted his relief after he escaped punishment following a charge for ‘evading, refusing or failing to submit a sample collection’.

The Toronto Wolfpack prop can now continue his career in the Championship and insists he will cherish every game for the rest of his career.

“It’s been an extremely difficult time for me especially when I was missing the business end of last season. But I always believed in myself and I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve had from my team-mates and everyone at the Wolfpack.”

RFL needs strong chief

Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington believes the next CEO at the Rugby Football League must have some special qualities to take the sport into the future.

“When we are looking for somebody to be at the head of a major sports organisation like the RFL then we are looking for someone who has the personal qualities to be the face and voice of the game,” he told League Express.

Wane backs Sarginson

There has been some negative reaction to Wigan’s signing of Dan Sarginson but Warriors’ boss Shaun Wane has defended the centre.

Wigan coach Shaun Wane. (Image: SWpix)

“I don’t understand it all,” Wane said. “If you asked any of our players for their thoughts on Dan Sarginson coming back they’d rub their hands together. They couldn’t wait to get him back.”

10:54Gareth Westmorland

Carlos welcome's Leeds' new man

10:17Gareth Westmorland

KR fans react to Moss news

09:33Gareth Westmorland

Wood has a new job

Nigel Wood has been appointed chief executive of the Rugby League International Federation after stepping down from his role with the Rugby Football League.

Wood, who is currently serving as RLIF chairman, will replace David Collier when his contract runs out in May.

I feel honoured and humbled to be asked to serve the RLIF as CEO for the next phase of its development.

International rugby league is a wonderful and essential aspect of our sport as the images, testimonials and emotions of the recent World Cups have once again demonstrated.

I believe these are exciting times as more and more people recognise the role of international rugby league has in developing the whole sport.

New countries and investors are attracted to our sport and I look forward to working with all parties, clubs and other key stakeholders to ensure that we give players, supporters and commercial and broadcast partners the most compelling international calendar that we possibly can.

Wood resigned as chief executive of the RFL this week after 10 years in the post.

He was appointed as Collier’s successor by unanimous decision after impressing in his current role with the RLIF, overseeing a successful World Cup in 2013.

09:15Gareth Westmorland

All the KR stories you may have missed

09:00Gareth Westmorland

Griffin sacked by Featherstone

Veteran prop Darrell Griffin has been sacked by Featherstone due to a serious breach of contract.

The 36-year-old, formerly of Wakefield, Huddersfield, Leeds and Salford, was suspended in December pending an internal investigation on grounds of gross misconduct.

Griffin was found to have made three unauthorised appearances for Morley RFC without written permission from Featherstone.

The forward, who joined the Championship club ahead of the 2016 season, signed a new one-year deal in August which stated he must not play rugby union.

Featherstone general manager Davide Longo said:

A player’s contract is designed to protect both the player and the club and any breach of it, on either side, has to be taken very seriously.

We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to gross misconduct. Without this, you set a dangerous precedent.

We are undoubtedly disappointed by Darrell’s decision to play another contact sport while under contract with the club.

RFL players’ contracts clearly state that permission to do so must be granted, in writing, by a chief executive or chairman.

Darrell did not seek such permission and, given the club’s position and desire to achieve as much as possible in 2018, it would not have been granted under any circumstances.

At the time of agreeing Darrell’s new contract, we made it extremely clear that he was not to play rugby union. This condition was added to his written contract, which Darrell signed in August 2017.

Griffin appealed against the decision at a hearing on January 5 but the club’s decision was upheld.

08:58Gareth Westmorland

Cockayne thanks the fans

08:56Gareth Westmorland

Full story on Moss 'staying at KR'

Kieren Moss is now set to remain with Hull KR for the 2018 campaign, the Mail understands.

Last month, the outside-back was tipped to depart the Robins ahead of the Super League season.

STAYING PUT: Hull KR's Kieren Moss. (Image: Jerome Ellerby)

However, despite tentative interest from an NRL outfit, Moss has opted to remain with KR and fight for his place in the team.

Starting yesterday’s 28-6 friendly victory over York City Knights, the 24-year-old is now in line to stay with Tim Sheen’s team for 2018.

Gareth Westmorland

Watch testimonial man Cockayne's reaction after the game

Gareth Westmorland

Sheens pleased with opening friendly hit-out

Tim Sheens believes Hull KR’s attitude and work ethic can stand his side in good stead following a comfortable opening friendly victory over York City Knights.

The Robins boss watched on as a mix of experience and youth for Rovers blew off the cobwebs in the first tie of 2018, with man-of-the-match Danny Addy scoring twice at KCOM Craven Park.

Hull KR v York City Knights

Limiting York to just one score in the final minute, Sheens was quick to praise his side’s defensive efforts in bitterly cold conditions during the 28-6 success, which acted as Ben Cockayne’s testimonial match.

Ahead of the short trip across the river to the KCOM Stadium to face cross-city rivals Hull FC, Rovers can build on the opening hit-out of the year according to Sheens.

I’m really happy with that for a number of reasons. Firstly, we didn’t come away with any major injuries, which is always the first thing you think about. Secondly, we did a lot of hard work in defence, which is not what we planned but I’d rather have a game like that than have a blow-out score-line.

Paul Clarke

Radford keen for derby friendly improvement

Lee Radford believes Hull FC’s first trial match of the pre-season on Sunday will give him a critical indication about how much his youngsters have developed in 12 months.

The Black and Whites endured a rough January last year when they were defeated 40-16 at home to Hull KR, who were preparing themselves for a campaign in the Championship.

Radford utilised an array of young guns that day who were deemed not up to standard by the Hull coach. But the majority of those players will get another chance to show their worth against the Robins at the KCOM Stadium this weekend.

I’m looking forward to seeing the young blokes play against Hull KR because there will be plenty participating on Sunday. What we are going to see is if they have developed over the last twelve months. We got it handed to us last January in our most recent match against Rovers. We put a young squad out and a lot of those players will be out there again and I want to see their development twelve months on when it comes to physical and technical improvements.

Gareth Westmorland

Morning!

Welcome to this week’s edition of our Rugby League LIVE blog.

We’ll bring you all the news, gossip and everything else in between throughout the day.